“Jones? Jones, is that you?”

Gustav Jones started with surprise at hearing his own name. He turned to face the general direction of the voice, though he could make out very little in the dark. Stupor still held him silent.

“Jones, if that is you, I’m glad I’ve stumbled onto you. Where’s that dreaded switch…”

A moment later the hallway flooded with blinding light. When this second shock had subsided, he was able to recognize the other speaker as Ambassador Ponan.

“Am..Ambassador! What… What are you doing up in the middle of the night?!”

Ponan continued to speak as though the other’s confusion had never been expressed.

“Now see here Jones. This whole debacle, with the Verdan ships being grounded on Tertius in so great a quantity, and with the mobs overrunning the administrative centers, and with these Koagrad peace talks, it’s all got me thinking.”

Gustav opened his mouth about to speak, but the Ambassador anxiously continued.

“It’s all so organized. Very organized. But by whom?”